News
06/23/2008
Releases are never perfect but we do try to minimize the bugs. And for that we have a bug killing patch but I have to tell you, it isn't very large. In fact, most of it is made up of redoing the manual and schematics. But to be sure, there's a couple of minor cosmetic route bugs I wanted squashed and several cosmetic issues with the activities though some maybe considered more than just cosmetic. Well, now they're dead too. Please see the East Metro page (see links above) for the bug squashing link.

06/15/2008
First, Happy Father's Day! Hey that's the special day all us dads are remembered so I hope you have a good one. If you aren't aware, All Aboard's newest route is available for purchase. Either Paypal or SWREG both fulfillers are open for business. With Paypal you get a $5 discount on both the download and CD. The route is already getting high praises from those who purchased it. Look at what you get. First, it is the queen of routes, the East Metro originally released in mid 2001. It's 25 miles in length, set in the 80's, comes with 26 activities, and we're boasting on Dick Cowen's reversible cabs where you can literally turn around in your seat and see your controls ahead of you. Forget that kink in your neck stuff with other guy's engines, leave the aspirin at home. It's very easy to do. And it makes switching a whole lot more realistic. If that isn't enough, Don Hughes included his own set of schematics for the East Metro Rebuild. And you'll need them with over 29 industries to switch. But wait! Maybe you should hold onto that aspirin because the attention to detail in scenery is stunning. Even I wanted to pat the author of the route on the back for his effort! From lowlands to densely tree covered hills, East Metro is a pleaser. Order your copy today (either download or CD) and be reaquainted with the gal of routes that helped to put MSTS on your hard drive for good! Oh, and no weeds were crushed in the making of this advertisement. Please see the East Metro link above to navigate to the East Metro page.

06/12/2008
At long last, I can say she's ready to roll. Starting tomorrow, 6/13/08, the East Metro Rebuild will be available for purchase. And just in time for Father's Day! The East Metro Rebuild is approximately 25 miles long with over 29 industries and 26 activities. Some of the prettiest route building you will have ever seen. Dick Cowen has done an outstanding job with the EMRR rollingstock with a special feature in most of the engines where you can literally turn around in your seat and control an engine moving backwards without having to leave the cab. The only requirement is you need to have MSTS Bin installed first. So come on and check out the old gal that made MSTS history back in 2001 all prettied up. And the price is reasonable at $29.00 USD (Paypal). On 6/13/08 the East Metro Rebuild page will offer a purchasing option. Will see you then, okay?

05/8/2008
In a little over three weeks, a lot of progress has been made on the new EMRR. I started a new thread where a few pictures and some description of what I've been doing is available for browsing. Here's the link: East Metro Rebuild (phase 2)

04/21/2008
Whew! What began as a simple facelift for the EMRR instead turned out to be a total rebuild. With certainity I can report the first and longest phase of route building is complete. The second phase begins where I do minor tweaking, activity macking, manual writing and adding a few new objects to the route. Stay tuned for more news. If you haven't stopped by to visit the EMRR page, please do so via the links at the top of the page.

02/12/2008
East Metro Upgrade! The "old gal" is getting a facelift! Work has been progressing steadily on the East Metro Deluxe version of the route which was released late 2001. One of the first full featured routes released for MSTS East Metro was a favorite. Her age showed quickly though as when the East Metro route was built, hardly a 3rd party object was available. It dawned on me this would be a good time to bring the East Metro on par with my other routes. An East Metro page will be created shortly but for now, please visit this thread for more information and pictures.

10/19/2007
You can enjoy lower pricing for full versions of Canton and Cumberland! Prices have been reduced significantly for those wishing to explore two great routes packed with detail and plenty of activities. Each features great rollingstock by Dick Cowen that comes free with each route. Via download or CD, act fast and save when you purchase Canton and/or Cumberland. For more information on the routes and the new prices, click on the links above.

6/11/2007
Pinewood Studios, run by our very own Dick Cowen, has released two videos featuring the Ohio Rail route. Featuring narration by Dick himself, these two videos will keep you riveted as Dick revives the Ohio Rail story explained in the Ohio Rail manual that came with the original Ohio Rail route. Included is music from the Ohio Rail downloads and numerous special effects shots. Dick uses the Ken Burns (PBS Civil War Documentary) style for his videos. Two great videos for the price of none, hosted by Ed Hawkins' website Hawk & Badger Railroad Web Site at the Garberdrome.

5/12/2007
Movie News! Looking for something to do? Do you want to kick back and just enjoy a MSTS train movie? All Aboard (i.e. prounounced Hollywood) has released a 15 minute movie featuring the Ohio Rail route (with Upgrade available from All Aboard) broken down into three five minute sections. The movie frame size is 384x288 and the clarity is decent. Each movie section features music and engine sounds as you follow along on a recreation of the original Ohio Rail activity B8-8 The Endurance Test.

This activity, originally written for the Build 8 version of Ohio Rail and then updated to the current version Build 10, starts off at the Mt. Ephraim Logging Camp #2 early in the morning. The sun is just poking over the mountains and you can almost feel the chilled air while the birds sing. We start off watching two OR&W F3s couple to a small string of log cars bound for Sarahville Lumber. The train sets off just after a local grain express passes through. After a turnaround at Mt. Ephraim, the log train and the two F3 units (3d trains - repainted by Marv Keur), speedily travel down to Marietta. You'll see small towns and large cities pass by and even sit in the driver seat for spells. At Marietta the log train turns around on the wye and heads back up the way it came to Sarahville and ends the activity and the movie at Sarahville Lumber. Captions are provided in the movie to keep you abreast of the train's location and the sites along the way. Admission is free, all you have to do is bring the popcorn.

The movie is located at Ed Hawkins' website Hawk & Badger Railroad Web Site at the Garberdrome.

3/31/2007
Steve Davis of Skyline Computing whom makes the amazing utilties Activity Generator and Activity Master, has announced today that soon he will have new templates for the Ohio Rail Upgrade. To find out more information regarding Activity Generator and Activity Master head on over to Steve's site at:

Skylinecomputing.com

3/24/2007

Ohio Rail Upgrade is released! A classic reborn! Imagine one of the largest MSTS add-on routes detailed like Canton and Cumberland. The visuals are stunning if not breath-taking. Click on over to the new Ohio Rail page (see link above) and see what this old route looks like now. There's no comparison. All your activities will load as before. Easy to install. And if you would like to see more pictures, click on over to 3dtrains forum and check out the All Aboard forum there where you will find lots of Ohio Rail development pictures there. Or see these specific links below:

Hint: When you see the pictures of Ohio Rail Upgrade at the All Aboard forum at 3dtrains, click on the picture to see an enlarged version of that picture.

Railfanning On The New OR&W
Switching In McConnelsville
It Snowed!
Byesville
Marietta
Cambridge
Sarahville (lumber facility)
Guess The Town (it's Devola btw)
Florence Cement Mill

You can see more Ohio Rail Upgrade threads here.

Customer Support is still provided at the All Aboard forum at 3dtrains. If you have an issue where you have not seen your receipt codes after purchase, please check here 3dtrains All Aboard forum.

Looking for someone to design a web page(s) for you? Look no farther as Ed Hawkins offers web design for personal and professional use. Ed has done a number of objects for the All Aboard! routes. Give Ed's web design pages a look here.